By: Carol McClain @carol_mcclain “(He has called me) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” …[ read more ]

By: Carol McClain @carol_mcclain JOY COMES IN THE MORNING BUT UNTIL IT DOES …? Sin’s not all it’s cracked up to be—but after sorrow, comes joy.   Numbers 14:18 and similar scriptures always caused me to stumble. “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting …[ read more ]

By: Carol McClain @carol_mcclain Last week, a reader commented that no matter what we do, the lost will despise Christians. He was right. 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to …[ read more ]

By: Carol McClain @carol_mcclain . We’re looking at Isaiah 1:16-17. And if you are with me, you know because we’re saved by grace and not works, people see our human nature and think we’re a bunch of hypocrites. News flash: Nope. We’re not. Oh? You already knew that. As a review, Isaiah 1:16b-17 reads: Cease to …[ read more ]

By: Carol McClain @carol_mcclain The early chapters of Isaiah have me seeing our precious church and the miracle of grace portrayed poorly. In a quick review, last week we looked at Isaiah 1:16-17.   Isaiah 1:16b-17 reads: Cease to do evil. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Rebuke the oppressor Defend the fatherless Plead for the …[ read more ]